Indy film to Immortalise Cleansing of London Council Estates

WoolfeVision and Aylesbury Film Night presents a WORLD PREMIERE 8th December of the documentary ‘Concrete Soldiers’, about the social cleansing of housing estates and those resisting the destruction of their homes. The film focuses on the Aylesbury, Cressingham Gardens and Central Hill council estates in London. The film encourages viewers to have hope, and a belief that a fairer future is possible.

Concrete Soldiers is a new documentary film by Nikita Woolfe, looking at an under- reported scandal in London and across the country — the social cleansing of council estates. Starved of funds by central government, councils and housing associations are entering into deals with private developers, instead of renovating existing estates, they are being demolished and rebuilt. Focusing in particular on the experiences of those living on the Aylesbury Estate in Southwark, Central Hill and Cressingham Gardens in Lambeth, the film exposes how councils bully residents into making decisions about their homes without proper consultation and also uncovers how developers have found loopholes to avoid building affordable housing.

It also looks at the Grenfell Tower fire in June, and the response of some who are saying that tower blocks built in the 1960s and 70s should be demolished. Politicians and journalists claim they are ‘criminally unsafe’, unfit for purpose as housing, and that their maintenance swallows up public funds.

But they are wrong. Although the greed has become palpable, and it sometimes seems that people can only stand by and watch this destruction take place, there is resistance from people, fighting for the future of our social housing. Working tirelessly, these people are fighting the system because they believe that by sheer persistence they can make a difference.

The film encourages viewers to have hope, and a belief that a fairer future is possible.

The event will showcase a live performance by Potent Whisper, spoken word artist, followed by a discussion with housing campaigners who have positive ideas to share and inspire. Check out Potent Whisper on YouTube.